Nova Scotia Student
Assistance Office
Information on the Student Assistance
Program
What is Student Assistance?
• Government funded student financial assistance
ensures students have equal access to post
secondary education.
• Assistance in Canada is provided by the federal
government and the participating province or
territory.
• The province of Nova Scotia administers both the
Canada Student Loan and the Nova Scotia
Student Loan programs.
The Most Common Myths
• My family makes too much money
• My sister / uncle / cousin didn’t get any, so
I won’t either
• My parents have to co-sign
• I don’t want to borrow, so I won’t apply
• Full student loans will cover all my
education need
• I can get a better “deal” at my parents
bank*
Applying for Student Assistance?
• NS students apply to the Nova Scotia
Student Assistance Office for both federal
and provincial programs, no matter where
they are going to school.
• Assistance is intended to supplement, not
replace, an individual’s or their family’s
contribution to post secondary education.
Who Can Apply
• To be eligible for full time assistance
in Nova Scotia, you must be:
– a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant/
permanent resident or protected person
– a resident of Nova Scotia
– a full-time student at an approved
designated post-secondary institution in
an approved program.
Benefits of Student Loans
• Interest on Loans is paid by the federal and
provincial governments while you are in full time
study. You do NOT make payments on your loan
while you are in school.
– The province will pay the interest on your NSSL
for 6 months after the period of study end date.
– The federal government capitalizes the interest for
this six months and adds the interest to your CSL
balance.
Debt Cap: New for 2011-2012
• The benefit applies only to NS Student Loans, if
you receive them.
• You must graduate from an undergraduate, nonprofessional, degree program within 8 years.
• The degree may include credits transferred
between institutions.
• The debt cap benefit applies to students who
study both within Nova Scotia and elsewhere,
provided they used Nova Scotia Student Loans.
Debt Cap: New for 2011-2012
In 2011-2012 figures, this could mean:
Maximum possible student loans: ~$12K /year
Four year degree total debt:
=$48K
=$48K
Debt Cap lowers NS Loans: Final Debt ~$26K
Significantly lower debt at graduation
Only for students who use NS Student Loans
How to Apply for Assistance
• Students can apply on-line (98% do)
or on a paper application.
• Applications are generally available
the first week of June for the next
academic year beginning August 1st.
• Applications are processed within 3 6 weeks (on-line faster)
Application Process
 Reasons for delays can include:
 Missing documentation: tax consent,
confirmation of enrollment, school/program
information, etc.
 Education and work history not completed.
 Submit early and follow your
application status online.
Application Process
• If you require assistance, call a Customer
Service Representative or Counselor, or
make an appointment to discuss it in
person at our office.
• Get help applying to avoid delays in
processing
• Read EVERYTHING, follow instructions.
• Make sure to meet timelines
Needs Based Program
Costs:
Resources:
Tuition
•Parental Contribution
Books
•Pre Study Contribution
Compulsory Fees
•Study Period Contribution
Living Expenses
•Scholarships / Bursaries
Return Trip
•Investments
Costs – Resources = Need
Levels of Assistance
Canada Student Loan
= $210.00 per week of Study.
Nova Scotia Student Loan = $160.00 per week of Study.
University = 34 weeks
CSL
$7,140.00 (loan)
NSSL $5,440.00 ($3,808 is loan, $1,632 is grant)
Total $12,580.00 max amount
Community College = 39 weeks
CSL
$8,190.00 (loan)
NSSL $6,240.00 ($4,368 is loan, $1,872 is grant)
Total $14,430.00 max amount
Nova Scotia Grants
 Nova Scotia Student Grant: First 30% of a student’s Nova
Scotia student loan is a non-repayable grant.
 Nova Scotia High Need Students with Dependants
Grant: $20 per family/per week of study in the form of a nonrepayable grant.
 Canada-Nova Scotia Access Grant (Year 1, 2, 3 & 4): Up
to $2,500 in non-repayable assistance.
 Nova Scotia Provincial Access Grant for Students with
Permanent Disabilities: Up to $2,000 in non-repayable
assistance for university students and $1,000 for college
students.
Federal Grants
Canada Student Grant for Student From Low Income:
$250/month
Canada Student Grant for Students From Middle Income:
$100/month
Both grants are based on the previous year’s income tax return. All
grants are non-repayable provided you do not withdraw from the
program within the first 30 days.
Federal Grants
Canada Student Grant for students with Permanent
Disabilities: maximum of $2,000 per year. Students may also
qualify for grant funding to help with necessary services and
equipment related to your studies up to $8,000.
Canada Student Grant for Students with Dependents of
$200/month per child: Only for dependents under the age of 12
(at the beginning of the study period). In order to qualify students
must also meet the ‘low income’ threshold.
Repayment
If you’re having trouble repaying your
loan, don't be afraid to call for assistance –
there are debt management programs
available to assist.
• Debt Reduction Program: Nova Scotia
Student Loan (NSSL) in the time period of
August 1, 2003 to July 31, 2008 can apply
for Debt Reduction when they graduate.
• Employment Bonus Award
• Repayment Bonus Award
More information
• Nova Scotia Student Assistance Web Site
http://studentloans.ednet.ns.ca
• Resolve Corporation Web Site
https://www.resolvestudentloans.ca
• Canada Student Loan Program Web Site
https://www.canlearn.ca
Contact Information
Nova Scotia Student Assistance Office
Department of Education
2021 Brunswick Street
PO Box 2290, Halifax Central
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3C8
(902) 424-8420 (Halifax Metro Area)
1-800-565-8420 (Toll Free in Canada)